After much research, Hakubaku decided the high-quality “Rosella” variety of wheat grown in Australia, is the best in the world for the manufacturing of high quality Japanese noodles. Unfortunately, they found it was extremely difficult to obtain the pure “Rosella” type in Japan due to import restrictions. The decision makers of Hakubaku decided if they could not import the right type of wheat for their factory in Japan they would just have to move the factory to the wheat

In 1996 Hakubaku set up its $13 million factory in Ballarat Australia, in close proximity to the port of Melbourne and to the organic wheatfields just across the NSW border, near the junction of the Murray and the Murrumbidgee rivers.

In 1998 Hakubaku commenced noodle production at the manufacturing plant in Ballarat, the only one of its kind in Australia.  Ballarat offers the advantage of being able to secure raw materials due to the close proximity to where “Rosella” and other high quality wheat varieties are grown.

Originally Hakubaku Australia produced noodles for the Japanese market, producing noodles for export to Hakubaku Japan.

Hakubaku began to sell noodles in Australia first selling its ‘Hakubaku Gold’ noodles in specialty Asian food stores. Now Hakubaku produces Organic dried noodles for the Asian section of the supermarkets and has recently held the highest market share for Japanese food in the Asian section.

Premier Jeff Kennet beats the drums during the ground breaking ceremony for the new factory in Wendouree Ballarat.	Celebrating the launch of Hakubaku Product for the Australian Market.	Hakubaku wins the excellence in Export award from the Victorian Premiere Steve Bracks.

All images Courtesy of the Ballarat Courier © Rural Press Ltd